A Graduation Gift

The nurse changed and put up a new IV bottle for Rufus. Michelle, in the meanwhile, accompanied the nurse and sat on the bed where Rufus lay unconscious. Seeing his condition, she was quite perturbed. The doctor had guaranteed that he was going to be fine, but her fear arose from the fact he was still not awake.

Just when she was fretting over Rufus, her phone rang. "I have arrived at the airport. Now please come to fetch me,"

Jasper informed, aloud. It had only been a few seconds since he got off the plane. The cacophony in the airport compelled him to speak loudly. When he learned that Rufus had met with a car accident, he went blank for a few minutes. As soon as he composed himself, he handed over some work and flew back to G City. He remembered his last meeting with Rufus which made him aware how a person's life could change in a blink of an eye.

Once she realized she had to pick Jasper from the airport, Michelle called the nursing assistance. Calmly, she filled her in with details to which some special attention should be paid. Then unwillingly, she left Rufus and headed to the airport. A moment later, Amanda arrived at the hospital to visit Rufus.

Her eyes were watery and she took slow anxious steps. She sat beside him and entwined her fingers with Rufus's lifeless fingers. Affectionately, she stared into his face.

Rufus, who had been unconscious for two days, slowly opened his eyes.

The white ceiling of the inpatient ward came into his sight. Since his eyes were used to darkness, the sudden contact with the bright light made his eyes sore. So he closed them again. He tried to move his heavy body, but failed miserably. The second time he opened his eyes, he noticed a girl sitting next to him.

"Rufus! Finally you're awake!"

Amanda exclaimed excitedly as she tightened her grasp on his hand.

Rufus blinked his eyes several times since he wasn't able to make out who the lady was. Once he understood it was Amanda, disappointment surged through his body. He was hoping to see Cassandra instead.

"Oh...so it's you,"

was too weak to speak

how worried I was! Watching you lying on the bed lifelessly distressed me. There were times when I

of her emotion, she wept in front of him. In that moment, she looked so vulnerable that he felt compelled to console her. As a way of showing his support, he

around the ward expecting to see her. After several inspection, he concluded that the only people present here were Amanda and the nursing assistant. 'Cassandra isn't here,

of his condition, his faint memory convinced him that it was Cassandra who had sent him to the hospital. As far as he could remember, it was she who had been with him when he was in coma. 'Am I getting confused? Was it Amanda?' he thought dubiously. 'No no! It can't be. I clearly remember it was Cassandra who gave me mouth-to-mouth breathing after the accident. But where is she now? Why isn't she with me? Is

first

Maybe she went out to fetch something. Or wait, could it be that she has

he thought he had seen could be work of

invention. He distinctly remembered how her tears glided down and tumbled into his mouth. Even now he could summon up

"Where is Cassandra?"

mustered up the strength

am sorry but I have no idea. A while ago I saw your aunt leave. But I

'Here I am pouring out my heart and his only concern is

response led Rufus's heart to sink even further. A strong sense of loss struck

me. I probably dreamed of it! Why would she come? She is furious at me and wants a break up. How could she come back to see me?'

the bewildered look on Rufus's face,